Today officially marks the first day of my second trimester and I am so excited and relieved. It means I am already 1/3 of the way done with this pregnancy (holy cow it's flying by!!) and hopefully means I am done with this miserable first trimester.
It started out great. We found out that we were expecting Baby Z #3 on November 26th. We decided that we wanted to wait to tell family and friends that we were expecting just to make sure everything was going ok and the risk of a miscarriage is significantly higher in the first trimester. We decided that we would wait until Christmas and do something fun to break the news.
So, things started out great. I was feeling amazing, full of energy, excited for about two weeks. Then morning sickness hit and hit hard. I could hardly eat, drink, was tired 24/7. I knew I couldn't last until Christmas feeling like this. So we called our family and close friends and broke the news. I needed back up with Craig constantly on the road for work. Of course everyone was ecstatic, and a bit shocked. (We really thought we were done, but God has bigger and better plans for us.)
Two days before my first dr. appt. I couldn't take it anymore. I had been sick for about a week and was already down 5 pounds. The house was a disaster because I was literally on the couch or in bed for about a week straight. My sister was amazing and would come and catch up on dishes and my brother would bring us supper and get the boys ready for bed. They were and are my little helpers and I am so thankful to be living so close to them. I would also bring Brody over to my dad's from time to time just so I could sleep. So...I called the doctor's office and talked to the nurse. She prescribed me some meds and I was pumped. I picked them out and then, luck would have it, felt amazing without taking them. Seriously? But the next day it set in again. So I got the pills out, took one and pretty much instantly fell asleep, but wouldn't allow myself to fully fall asleep because I have a three year old running around.
Well, I slept more than I thought I did. And it was for four hours. And it was time to take another pill. I got up and realized Brody had a hay day spreading crackers and cereal across the living room and kitchen floor. I know he was just helping himself to a snack, but it was really bad. So I took another pill and instantly got really lethargic. I then knew I would never ever take that pill again if I wanted my kids to live. Otherwise I probably would sleep 22/7.
I went to my first appt. December 6th and everything went well. Got to see baby (well, honestly I didn't see it. I could see the sac, but as far as seeing a baby...I felt like Rachel on the episode of friends where she doesn't see it.) Heard the strong heartbeat-172! And got a due date of July 23rd. She also prescribed me some other meds.
The new meds were working amazing! I could eat, but not a ton. Throwing up lessened. I was still tired, but not to the extent of sleeping all day long. I was able to enjoy a long weekend trip to Arizona to visit family and survived the holidays...barely. I was exhausted and the exhaustion set into full blown morning/all day sickness again. Thankfully Craig was home over Christmas break and entertained the boys and I did a lot of sleeping.
This lasted for about 2 weeks and I went to my next appt. on January 3rd. Baby was still growing and looked like a baby!! You could see the spine and little hands waving around and the heartbeat was a strong 171! It was very exciting and she said that at my next appointment, if baby cooperates, we may be able to find out what baby is!! Next appointment date: January 31st!! Kind of crazy, but exciting! Anyways, she said the morning sickness will continue strong for the next week or two and hopefully simmer down after week 12 of being pregnant.
Well, the weekend passed. We went to church followed by a potluck and meeting. We got home and I was feeling off. I was waiting for my meds to kick in, but it wasn't happening. I laid down on the couch, tried napping but felt uncomfortable. Craig packed up to head back to his project and I told him he really shouldn't leave because I didn't feel good. But, I knew that wouldn't work. But, then about 15 minutes after he left, I was sick. Like I had the flu type of throwing up. I called my brother to see if he could bring supper and put the boys to bed. He agreed and I laid on the couch. And then when he got here made my way to bed. But was up every 45 minutes or so and was throwing up violently until 5:00 AM. I tried drinking water but it would not stay down at all. I felt weak, tired (I didn't sleep all night) and super dehydrated. I finally was able to fall asleep after 5:00 but woke up at 6:45 to the alarm clock to get Hunter up and ready for school. I called the clinic at 7:00 to talk to the nurse, but they didn't open til 7:30. I managed to get Hunter ready for school and send him on his way.
I finally got a hold of a nurse and they said to come into the clinic at 9:30. I called my parents and my mom came out to watch Brody and my dad said he would bring me in. I was in no state to drive. I managed to get dressed and throw my hair in a pony tail. After checking on baby at the clinic it was decided that I would get IV's. So, I told my dad that it would take at least another hour.
I took a little rest while they got everything situated and then began my IVs. I felt a little better and super hungry. She told me that I would want to eat right away and should because odds of it staying in were better since I had fluids in me now. 1 liter later, I was on my way to get more anti-nausea meds and some Dairy Queen. I had about 2 bites of my sandwich and 3 of my blizzard and thought it was the most disgusting food I had ever ate. I came home and napped the day away.
And the next day too. My in-laws came out and made supper and helped take care of the boys one evening which was so nice.
Finally by Thursday I was starting to get a little better. And at 10:00 Thursday night I was so hungry I grilled myself a burger on a George Foreman. It tasted amazing. And since then I have been feeling good as long as I stay on my meds. I have gradually weened myself down to 2 pills a day vs. 3 which is so nice. And today....drum roll please...I made it the entire day with no meds!!! Hello, Second Trimester!! It is so nice to see you and finally have some relief!!! (Although will this mean that the friends who have been calling me Duchess due to similar symptoms will stop? Probably not...we are both due in July. ;))
Now, I am hoping this wasn't a fluke and it continues and the next 3 months are a breeze. The past month and a half have been exhausting and not so much fun, but it's been a wonderful diet. Down 12 lbs.-that's surviving the holidays! I can only imagine what it would be like if I wasn't on any meds. But I know it will be worth it in the end and will do anything it takes to make a healthy little baby. And I know that eventually the weight gain will increase and that's ok. As long as baby is growing and is healthy and I am too, that is what matters.
Here is to week 13. The first day of my second trimester. Baby is the size of a peach. Bones, fingertips, veins and organs are starting to form. And baby is moving its arms and legs around-which I can't wait to feel!!
